Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet solution by Google that’s being used by millions of people all over the world. Although Google Sheets is not as powerful as Airtable (which was the first data source we introduced for Softr) in terms of data management, it’s a really popular software that you may already be using and is also free. So, let’s see how you can connect Google Sheets as a Softr data source and also discuss some of its advantages and limitations that you should be aware of before getting started.
To start with Google Sheets, you need to go to your Application Settings and navigate to Data Sources. Next, click Connect a Data Source and select Google Sheets from the list.
Selecting a data source
Further on, you’ll need to log into the Google Account that you want to connect or just select it if you’re already logged in.
Selecting a Google account
In the next step, you need to authorize Softr to make changes in your associated account’s Google Sheets and Google Drive files. So, make sure to check the checkboxes highlighted below. Click Continue as soon as you’re done.
Providing Softr with the required permissions
Now, you can select your connected Google Sheets account on any of the dynamic blocks (the ones that work with a data source) such as the List block and choose any of the sheets from your library.
Linking a sheet from a List block
In your Google Sheets database that you’re going to use with Softr, each record or row is supposed to have one or more properties, which are stored under respective columns. So, below, we have a list of project tasks for different employees, and each task has its Assignee, Description, Status, and so on. Thus, “Assignee,” for instance, is the name of the column or field in your database. To use a Google sheet as a data source for your Softr application, you need to organize your database this way. On the very first row, you need to have the names of all your fields (i.e. properties) and then, in the rows below, you can store your database records along with their values under each column.
Field names and values on Google Sheets
Further on, when you’ve selected a Google sheet as a data source for your Softr block, you need map some or all fields from your sheet to Softr to specify which fields you want to display and in what way. The next image shows how we’ve mapped the fields from the sheet above in Softr, displaying the Assignee, Description, and other fields for each record in a List block.
Mapping fields from Google Sheets to Softr
As soon as you link a particular sheet to a block in Softr, you’ll notice that a new column will be created automatically in your Google sheet named Softr Record ID. This way, each row (i.e. record) is assigned a unique ID to allow Softr refer to it (e.g. when linking a List to its List Details).
The Record ID column created inside the sheet
<aside> 💡 Make sure to have the required edit permissions for your Google sheet so that Softr can add the Record ID column and add new values as your database grows. Also, make sure not to delete the Record ID column from your database.
</aside>